High-tech map provides a new view of Crater Lake

Crater Lake National Park is the latest Oregon icon to get its own high-tech map from state geologists.

Crater Lake National Park is the latest Oregon icon to get its own high-tech map from state geologists.

The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) released a new recreation map of Crater Lake this week, the third in its series of geologic guides and recreation maps of iconic Oregon places.

The map, officially known as the "Crater Lake Geologic Guide and Recreation Map," by Daniel E. Coe, shows trails and other features in detail and describes geologic history.

The map was produced using Lidar (light detection and ranging), a remote sensing technique similar to radar that uses light pulses instead of radio waves. Lidar is typically "flown" or collected from planes and rapidly produces a large collection of very dense and accurate elevation points (up to 500,000 per second) over a large area, according to a press release from DOGAMI.

Lidar can be used to generate three-dimensional representations of the Earth's surface and its features.

The double-sided, folding map on water-resistant paper shows all Crater Lake National Park trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail, as well as highways and park services, with trail distances and elevations.

The geology of Crater Lake, including its eruptive history, is described in text, photographs and charts.

To preview the map, see www.oregongeology.org/pubs/ll/p-craterlake-recmap.htm.

The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries uses lidar to create new-generation maps that are more accurate and comprehensive than any in the past. DOGAMI, via the Oregon Lidar Consortium, is continually acquiring new lidar data throughout Oregon, the agency said.

The paper map can be purchased for $6 from the Nature of the Northwest Information Center (NNW), 800 NE Oregon St., Suite 965, Portland, OR 97232.

You also can call NNW at 971-673-2331 or order online at www.naturenw.org. A $4.95 shipping and handling charge is added for all mailed items.

The first two maps in the geologic guide and recreation series are of Mount Hood and Three Sisters.